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This time of year is all about one thing, right? Money. And in the joyous Christmas season of 2008, there is no money, to speak of. There’s not much to spend, either.
So maybe this is the year to make Christmas a little less about the money we spend and the stuff we generously bestow on others or lavishly accumulate for ourselves. If I’m buying store brand raisin bran, it follows that I should cut back on less essential spending as well. I’ve been floating that idea around, and the response has been gratifying — not just because it was my (admittedly unoriginal) idea, but also because it will save me some money. A lot of money, considering how far overboard I tend to go.
People already know what to expect from me at Christmas. I’ll once again be giving out calendars to the adults on my list. And I’ve carefully chosen toys for each of the four children in the family. Nothing too expensive, nothing that breaks easily, nothing for any one that the other three are likely to covet (or destroy). Just something to unwrap and, most likely, forget about.
But I’ll be able to say I tried, and I didn’t even ask for any advice. That’s kind of dangerous, since I see the kids so rarely, but I doubt I’d do much better if I saw them every day. It’s a bit of a crapshoot at best. They’re all under ten and not likely to want the same thing next month they want now anyway. |
